Top News

A 32-year-old woman doctor from Beed district, who was working as a medical officer at Phaltan sub-district hospital in Maharashtra’s Satara, allegedly committed suicide late on Thursday night. The woman found hanging in a local hotel room had written a heart-wrenching suicide note on her left palm, accusing Sub-Inspector (SI) Gopal Badne of raping her four times in five months and subjecting her to constant physical and mental torture.

The note clearly read: “Police Inspector Gopal Badne is the cause of my death. He raped me four times and tortured me mentally and physically.” Constable Prashant Bankar was also accused of continuous mental harassment, claiming that his actions had driven her into despair. An FIR was immediately registered at Phaltan City Police Station on charges of rape under section 64(2)(n) of the Indian Code of Justice (BNS) and abetment of suicide under section 108. Badne, who was absconding, was immediately suspended on the orders of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and search teams were deployed to nab both the accused.

The victim’s cousin revealed the deep layers of pressure and alleged that there was immense police and political pressure on him to fudge the post-mortem and fitness reports during his two-year tenure. “There was immense pressure to make a false report. She tried to complain, but nothing happened. My sister deserves justice,” she told the media. This is reminiscent of her ignored complaint to the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Phaltan on June 19, in which Badne as well as sub-divisional police inspector Patil and assistant police inspector Ladputre were accused of harassment – ​​but no action was taken.

This matter has turned into a political storm. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar strongly criticized the Mahayuti government for protecting criminals: “When the protectors become the predators, justice is subverted. Their petition was suppressed—enough is enough.” BJP’s Chitra Wagh promised a thorough investigation, while Rupali Chakankar-led Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) has taken suo motu cognizance. The commission directed Satara SP Tushar Doshi to investigate the idle complaint, ensure arrests and investigate negligence.

As the post-mortem unfolds, the tragedy highlights systemic failures in women’s safety and institutional accountability. Fadnavis assured “swift, fair justice”, but activists are demanding sweeping reforms to prevent such betrayals. The incident joins a horrifying spate of violence against healthcare workers, raising urgent calls for zero-tolerance policies.